Post Marketing Reports for February 2001

Doc 28
3253From: vern2barb@a...
Date: Tue Feb 6, 2001 5:56am
Subject: Another Levaquin story...

On Dec 14, I was teated for bronchitis after a bout of sinusitis
which was treated unsucessfully by Amoxicillin and Augmentin. I had
to see a new doctor and was put on Levaquin. On Dec 16, I was unable
to use my right arm and it hung by my side in pain. I thought that I
must have done something to it as it felt like a horrible case of
tennis elbow....but I hadn't golfed or done anything to cause it. On
Dec 17,at 2am I was awakened by God and told to recheck the
prescription info. I was in pain but didn't want to get out of bed to
do so . I felt an urgency to get up that pulled me from my bed . Once
again, I looked through the papers when all of a sudden it jumped out
at me....PROMPTLY REPORT TENDON PAIN OR RUPTURE...I called the
pharmacist and he told me to stop the Levaquin and call for another
antibiotic on Monday.I called the doctor on Monday and was put on
Augmentin and was told I could take Daypro for my arm. My bronchitis
went away but my left arm was now bothering me as well. I tried
braces and magnets to little avail so I went back to the doctor. She
put me on Cellebrex and said if I was no better after 10 days she'd
put me on oral steroids...and if still no better, would refer me to
an orthopedist. The Cellebrex took the edge off but I was unable to
do very simple things....THEN I FOUND YOUR SITETHANK YOU THANK YOU
whenI saw the doctor I explained what I understood about my reaction
and ?'d tendon rupture ...he explained the info he had only said
ruptures were found in the shoulder,hand,and leg but he'd send me to
an orthopedist. I saw him ..he wanted to do cortisone shots...I
explained...he reddened and told me he'd never heard of a reaction to
this drug..he did agree to send me physical therapy although he held
out little hope of this helping.I saw the therapist yesterday and
she's helped me more than anyone else this far...I now have two arm
braces and wrist braces that keep me protected and supported. I'll
see her 3x a week for ultrasound, massage(a bit ouchy),Electrical
stim and ice for 15 minutes. I plan to continue glucosamine-
chondroitin and Cellebrex as well as starting a raw food diet in
hopes of getting this out of my body. I'm concerned though that my
knees are starting to hurt. I think I need to take tylenol with the
Cellebrex but haven't been told to do so. I've rambled on ....Thank
you from the bottom of my heart and thanks for the info re: my
granddaughter...God bless you....Barbara


Doc 27
3251From: TessiB@a...
Date: Mon Feb 5, 2001 3:36pm
Subject: Re: Re: cardiac reaction to levaquin

I also had extreme heart palpitations on Levequin, as well as aching in my
muscles and nerves throughout my entire body. I finally put the feelings
together with the drug after I kept feeling that way several times. I finally
realized I was on these antibiotics each time. I hurt so bad one night, I
felt as if my own body was crushing itself, and l laid awake for hours afraid
to go to sleep that my heart might stop. I got online a found a site about
the adverse reactions and realized what was happening. I quit taking Levequin
the next day. Each day I felt better, but it took a few months before the
feeling deep in my nerves and muscles finally went away. I hope you feel
better soon too.


Doc 26
3249From: leftovernancy@n...
Date: Mon Feb 5, 2001 7:19pm
Subject: cipro CNS reactions

Are there other people that had CNS reactions to Cipro? Or is it less
common?

Previous to hernia surgery, my brother was given a drug to lower
cholesterol, which therefore lowers serotonin. Then, because of a
complication with his incision, he was given Cipro samples for up to 2
months until the incision healed from the inside out. We now
realize that he had reactions to the Cipro.

He thought he was dying, made 2 trips to the emergency room (phobias),
difficulty urinating, shooting pains in his legs and tingling
sensations, he felt cold and hot, sensitive to bright light,
depression, confusion, etc., etc.. The doctors could find nothing
wrong. We thought he had panic disorder.

The family physician prescribed Zoloft (gave office samples). Soon
after, he became suicidal and was hospitalized twice for that, with
more and more drugs and was delusional.

Finally, he commited suicide in January.

Now, we are just learning about the cholesterol drug, Cipro, and
Zoloft, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Too late to help.

I want my brother back.


Doc 25
--Dear J.,
I started on Tequin(a quinolone anitbiotic) 7 days ago...and
started having alot of new problems. I took dose number 6 yesterday
and had my worst day yet. Today...I am throwing doses 7-10 in the
trash!!
I started with stomach problems...crampy,upset...then progressed
to nausea and more painful cramps on dose 3 and 4. Doses 5 and 6 I
started having dizziness..upon sitting up..which I wasnt doing much
of.A rapid heartbeat and a feeling like i was going to pass out
followed...even going walking to the restroom was scary. My heart
would just race! I am sure that my blood pressure must have been
bottoming out. I have on the lower end of normal usually and this
weekend it must of been dangerously low. I was seriously thinking I
should go to the hospital...but with 3 kids it is an inconvience on
them and my husband...I didnt want to seem paranoid..so I just waited
it out and thought to myself...if it gets worse we will have to go!
Today I am still not back to normal but better than yesterday.I
started the day out today with a stabbing pain near my right
kidney..which freaked my husband out after this weekend.Four
ibuprofen made the pain bearable now. But atleast my heart seems to
be heading back to normal. I hope this helps you!!! Good luck, Chelle

Doc 24
3246From: olive woodward owoodward@h...
Date: Mon Feb 5, 2001 7:16am
Subject: RE: Re: Doxycycline lawsuit

I was prescribed Cipro in August of 1999, and there was mention of
"tendinitis" but no mention of tendon rupture. I would have taken it a lot
more seriously if there had been.

Olive

Doc 23
3244From: Ned Veljkovic nveljkovic@a...
Date: Sun Feb 4, 2001 5:23pm
Subject: RE: Re: Doxycycline lawsuit

My piece of paper that I got from the pharmacist that lists possible side
effects never mentioned anything about tendon problems. I was prescribed
Noroxin in July of '99.
How do you explain that?

Ned